My husband, Steve, and I once owned property that had an
eagle’s nest on it. One day after a spring storm we went out to check on the
property and found that a third of the nest had been blown down.

As I looked at the fallen pieces, it occurred to me that
often when we think of eagles we picture the majestic bird that is our national
symbol—a bird that is able to soar high above any tempest that might come
along. We rarely think of eagles as having to go through storms. read more

One of the things that good “Baptists” did not do back in
“the old days” was go to the theater. As a very young boy I wasn’t sure why,
but it seemed to have something to do with going to heaven, along with not
having long hair (guess that shows my age).

One summer, when I was about 9 or 10, my brother and I went
to stay with some adult friends in Albuquerque, N.M. They were a bit older than
our parents and had no children. We loved going and staying with Herman and
Cleo. This particular summer, the movie Bambi was in a theater in their city. Cleo decided to take us. She reassured
us that it would be fine and that she would take the blame.

I remember my emotions so clearly. Fear … coupled with
childhood excitement. We got popcorn and the lights dimmed as the movie came
on. The story opened with Bambi as a new fawn simply trying to get his legs
under him to stand up and walk. We then delighted in his adventures with his
friends, Thumper and Flower.

The music, songs and scenes made us smile and even laugh out
loud. Bambi even meets Felin, the little doe fawn. Love blossoms. What a joy!
Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, things changed. “Man,” as the movie calls the
hunter, disrupts the peace and quiet. In horror and fright we watched as
Bambi’s mother is shot and killed. Who shoots a baby’s mommy?

As if that wasn’t bad enough, a short time later the forest
is burned to the ground, once again by “Man.” First Bambi is orphaned and now
he is homeless. Suddenly I understood why Baptists didn’t go to movies. I can remember wanting to leave. This “movie” thing
was not what I had hoped.

Then, the scene changes dramatically. Springtime arrives.
New growth comes and lying in the bushes is Felin with two fawns. The camera
pans back and there stands Bambi on the bluff looking over his kingdom, the
proud “Prince of the Forest.” As horrible as things had gotten in the movie, I
was glad I stayed. The ending made it worth it all …

Look at Revelation 21: “Now I saw a new
heaven and a new earth … and I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them … And God will wipe every tear from their eyes;
there shall be no more death.’ …
Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’And
He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful’” (Rev. 21:1-5, emphasis added).

This world we live in is full of sorrow, pain, tragedy and
trials. Sometimes, if you are like me, you feel trapped. Afraid. Wondering what
it’s all about. Remember this, the evil one, Satan, is the “prince of the power
of the air.” He runs free in this world. He has turned God’s wonderful creation
into his playground. Sin, filth, degradation and unforgiveness abound. Life
often seems unbearable.

However, here is the joyous good news. We know what the
end of the “movie” is. Our Champion, Jesus
Christ, wins. His kingdom is restored. Alpha and Omega destroys the enemy once
and for all. There is hope, because we have His Word, which records the end of
the story for all to read.

As you journey this week in your Christ walk, rejoice. We know the end of the story. Life may be tough
right now. You might have some health issues, or experienced the recent loss of
a loved one. There may be strife in your marriage. You might not have enough
money to make ends meet. Do not lose hope! Just when you think the “movie”
could get no worse, your Champion will be there.

And in the end, we win in a big way. There will be no more
tears. No more mourning, or pain or even death, but life eternal. Everlasting.
And we will cry with the saints of all time, “Hallelujah! Salvation and
glory and power belong toour
God”Just hang on. The end of the “movie”—the end of the story, recorded for
all to read—makes it worth it all. I promise.

PRAYER POWER FOR THE WEEK OF 10-3-2011

This week look beyond your circumstances and “enter His
gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” Thank Him that we can rely
on His Word and that what He has promised He will fulfill. Continue to lift up
Israel when you pray for our allies, and remember our military and their
families. Thank Him for the continual protection of our nation and pray for
repentance, revival and righteousness to permeate every aspect of our society.
Pray for your pastors, for unity in prayer and purpose and more laborers for
the harvest. Ps. 100:4; Rev. 21:1-5

To enrich your prayer
life and learn how to strategically pray with power by using appropriate
scriptures, we recommend the following sources by Apostle John Eckhardt: Prayers that Rout Demons, Prayers that Bring Healing, Prayers that Release Heaven on Earth and Prayers that Break
Curses. To order any or all of these click here. read more

“Our shipment will be here tomorrow,” announced my husband,
Terry, as he was reading his e-mails.

The “shipment” was a beautiful bedroom set, consisting of a
bed, two end tables, a chest of drawers, a mirror and a huge armoire – all
sale-priced and perfectly designed for the dream house we had in mind.

The only problem was, we had just moved halfway across the
country from our former home and were stuck for seven months in a tight,
cramped apartment. Though we were sure our dream house was a future reality, we
were now faced with the dilemma of fitting dream-house-sized bedroom furniture into
a living space much too small for it.

Terry saw my discouragement and reassured me: “Honey, we’ll
find a place for the armoire. How about next to the dining room table?” I
agreed, but not without shuddering at the thought of its doors flying open to dinner
guests, revealing unkempt piles of underwear.

Lord, what had we gone and done?

Were we wrong to believe we could have dream-home stuff
while living in a small apartment? Were we wrong to dream at all?

For some reason, I thought of Nehemiah, who was called by
God to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem (see Neh. 2-4). In order to step into
God’s plans for restoring the wall, he first had to get beyond what he saw in
the natural – terrible destruction and the animosity of those who “were deeply
disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel”
(Neh. 2:10). Even when he was derided and threatened by his enemies, Nehemiah
continued to work on the wall and to encourage those with him to persevere.

I realized that Terry and I were somewhat like Nehemiah – looking beyond our present circumstances and envisioning a bigger picture for
our lives than what was in view at the moment.

Today, I invite you to consider something God is calling you
to do – plans for you that go beyond what presently meet your eye. Perhaps He
is directing you to begin a new career, start a ministry or step out in faith
for something you’ve never done before. God’s Word tells us to live not by what
we see (“the seen”) but by what we do NOT see (“the unseen”): “We do not look
at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the
things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are
eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18, NKJV).

I ask you to join me in stepping out of the scope of YOUR
vision into the scope of HIS vision for you. God’s Word reveals the scope of
His vision: It tells us that God
“is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according
to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20).

When Nehemiah built the wall, he did it by stepping out in
faith. He went from the reduction and destruction of the past into production
for the future. When Nehemiah began to build the wall, he stepped into God’s
vision, or big picture, for him.

Regardless of where you are or what you’ve been through, God
has a big picture for your life – one that is bigger and brighter than what
presently meets the eye. And He is more than able to bring it into focus for
you and cause it to become reality! Don’t be afraid to dream big.

PRAYER POWER FOR THE WEEK OF 9/26/2011

This week put action to your faith concerning the things God
has called you to do. Thank Him for the “big picture” He has for your life, and
the wonderful harvest, healing and impact He’s bringing around the world.
Continue to pray for our country’s leaders as they strive to restore the
economy and move the nation in the right direction. Remember Israel as it faces
challenges in the United Nations and pray that we will continue to stand in its
support. Start praying for the 2012 elections and remember those persecuted for
His Name’s sake. Neh. 2:11-20; Eph. 3:20

To enrich your prayer
life and learn how to strategically pray with power by using appropriate
scriptures, we recommend the following sources by Apostle John Eckhardt: Prayers that Rout Demons, Prayers that Bring Healing, Prayers that Release Heaven on Earth and Prayers that Break
Curses. To order any or all of these click here. read more

Several years ago, I accompanied my niece Shae and two of
her girlfriends to a Girls of Grace conference. The event, sponsored by
Christian recording artists Point of Grace, was geared to the needs of teen
girls. read more
1:00AM EDT 9/19/2011

Did you know that when you speak from your spirit man you
overcome? All of the testing you are going through is linked with the word of
your testimony that comes out of your mouth, and is produced at the end of your
testing. Your spirit man is like the Ark of the Covenant, where the testaments
were placed and secured for all mankind. When you endure the enemy’s
temptations and your own soulish carnal ways, your spirit man develops an
overcoming power.

First, let’s make sure we share the same definition of the
word testimony. All of them are
essentially the same thing: the story of a person’s spiritual journey.
Basically, testimony is defined
as someone’s personal spiritual narrative. And while our testimony includes
parts of our biography, that isn’t the heart of it. Let’s set aside the
definitions dealing with legal or courtroom testimony and focus on the
spiritual dimension.

Testimony is evidence in support of a fact or assertion,
proof, or a public declaration regarding a religious experience. To testify
means to express or declare a strong belief, to make a statement based on personal
knowledge in support of an asserted idea, to declare publicly or make known,
and to bear witness or provide evidence for.

The Word of God is full of people who testified to the
power, majesty and mercy of God.

Joseph testified to
his brothers when he said: “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But
as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to
bring it about, as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do
not be afraid” (Gen. 50:19-21).

Job told the Lord,
“I know that you can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be
withheld from You” (Job 42:2).

David said, “I
sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

Mary declared, “For
He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name” (Luke 1:49).

Stephen, moments
before he was stoned, said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man
standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:56)

Paul said to the
Philippians: “Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and
to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:12-13).

One thing all of these testimonies have in common is that
each one of the speakers directs our attention to the Lord. Our testimony, like
our worship, is meant to magnify the Lord—not our own ego. Only when Jesus is
exalted will our testimony bear the witness of the Holy Spirit.

There are times when your soul needs to hear what your spirit
has to say. In 1 Samuel 30:6, when David and his men found that Ziklag had been
burned and their wives and children had been captured, David “strengthened
himself in the Lord.” In fact, the ones who were with David wanted to stone
him. They obviously had not been fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit, so David
had to strengthen himself. His soul really needed to hear what his spirit had
to say.

Have you ever had to encourage yourself? At times like that
you want to be sure that you have a well-nourished, strong, healthy spirit that
has been fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit, because there may not be anyone
else around. If you had to encourage yourself, if your spirit had to encourage
your soul, how would you do?

Let me encourage you to nourish your spirit, worship, and
minister in the power of the Holy
Spirit. Exercise your spirit, resist the devil, run with endurance and walk in
the Spirit. And keep your spirit in fellowship with the Holy Spirit so that you
are becoming more like Jesus and are connected to others who are doing the
same.

The blood and the word of your testimony will overcome the
world, the flesh and the devil. You are
empowered to overcome, and you win in the end!

Adapted from Time to Defeat the Devil by Chuck D. Pierce, copyright 2011, published by
Charisma House. As the church undergoes another historical shift, Dr. Pierce
reminds you to stay connected to the Head and shows you how your defeats in a
former season can become victories and triumphs in the next. To order a copy,
click on this link.

PRAYER POWER FOR THE WEEK OF 9-12-2011

This week encourage
yourself in the Lord by declaring His Word and testifying of His goodness,
faithfulness and omnipotent power on your behalf. Speak the Word over your circumstances
and use it as you pray concerning every aspect of your life. Pray that
Christians would repent, and unite in purpose to fast and pray for revival, the
nation, and the spread of the gospel. Continue to pray for protection over our
nation and our allies, as well as our military and their families. Remember
Israel and ask for more laborers for the ripe harvest fields. Pray that
President Obama would continue to seek God for wisdom as he leads the nation in
these perilous times. 2 Chron. 7:14

To enrich your prayer
life and learn how to strategically pray with power by using appropriate
scriptures, we recommend the following sources by Apostle John Eckhardt: Prayers that Rout Demons, Prayers that Bring Healing, Prayers that Release Heaven on Earth and Prayers that Break
Curses. To order any or all of these click here. read more

Mrs. Smith has actually been the premier apple pie maker in
our home. My wife makes the best coconut cream pies in the world from
scratch, which is the only way I will have pie. Since I don’t like apple pie,
it never bothered me to just let Mrs. Smith handle that area. read more
1:00AM EDT 9/5/2011

Have you ever been stuck? If you’ve ever driven a 4- or
5-speed car and tried to shift gears you know what I mean. It’s not always
easy. Sometimes it can be frustrating and what is meant to help propel you to
another place instead hinders your journey. read more
1:00AM EDT 8/29/2011

None of us wish to leave work, return from college, or visit
our family and walk into a lion's den of anger, a fiery furnace of strife, or
an atmosphere of tension. I suggest there are four methods that can help you
make your home a dwelling place of peace and joy. read more
1:00AM EDT 8/22/2011

If you’re accustomed to praying in the power of Holy Spirit, you’ve probably experienced seasons of spiritual warfare. Sometimes it may seem as if all hell is breaking loose—literally.

People may seem to get mad at you for no reason. Others may begin gossip campaigns. Your car breaks down and the kids act up. Your husband says you are spending too much time in prayer. Your friends tell you to back off—that you’re just no fun anymore. In these seasons, problems can feel as though they are pouring into your life from every angle, and you can end up feeling misunderstood, confused, rejected and alone. read more

Few of us are privileged enough to inherit millions. Even
so, those who do must wait to tap into their inheritance. That is not so with
the believer. We receive a portion—or “down payment”—of what eternally awaits
us when we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ redeemed us from the curse by His death, paid
our debt and has called us to an eternal inheritance. We read in Hebrews 9:15,
“And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death,
for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those
who are called may receive the promise of the eternalinheritance” (emphasis added). read more

I was born again 41 years ago. At that time I had such a
thirst for God’s Word that I would read it for hours, often staying up until 2
or 3 a.m.

One of the Scriptures I encountered that set me on this
course was Joshua 1:8: “this Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth,
but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do all that
is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will
have good success” (NKJV). read more
1:00AM EDT 8/1/2011

Peanuts. It is amazing that I still love them after all the
drama they caused me as a very young boy.
My mom kept a very large can of them in the cabinet. She kept a container the size of a tub
of coffee, or an old “Crisco” can shut up tight with a plastic lid.

It is funny how certain events that happened even when we
were very young are forever burned into our memories. This is one such
incident. One night I was watching TV and had one of those “I need a
snack” thoughts. I quietly went into the kitchen, climbed up in a chair
where I could just reach the elusive peanut can. I got it down. It
was very heavy … a good sign … it meant LOTS of peanuts to enjoy as I watched
“Lassie.” I carried the can into
the TV room and proceeded to climb up into my mom’s favorite overstuffed chair.

By all outward appearances, this was shaping up to be a
great night. When I tried to get the lid off of the peanut can I noticed
that it was very tight. I turned the can slightly on its side to get
better leverage. POP. The lid came off. Instant tragedy! Used fried chicken oil spilled all over and
worse, all over my mom’s special chair. My mom had used an empty peanut
can to save her fried chicken oil to use again. read more

Time and space are two of the most interesting and difficult
concepts to grasp as you move through your life journey. We are in time, but
God is not. Though some of us may feel that we were born out of time, we have
been set in time and place to understand our Creator and what He created us to
accomplish. read more

During the holidays one year my family traveled to London,
England, for a vacation. After we returned, I realized that the trip was an
analogy of a much more important journey each of us is on — fulfilling God’s
plan for his or her life. read more
12:10PM EDT 7/8/2011

One of my friend’s sons has a parrot named Danny. Once when I went to visit, the bird,
which was perched on the child’s shoulder, screeched so loudly it hurt my
ears. I looked nervously at it and
then at its owner. Seeing my
apprehensive glance, my friend’s son spoke to me. read more
4:21PM EDT 6/24/2011

A few months ago my friend Linda gave me an artificial
bonsai tree. I brought it home and placed it in my office, and from the moment
I sat down I sensed the Spirit’s whisper. “Research this tree. I have a
message for you.” I was intrigued and
excitement rose within as I uncovered the truth I share with you now. read more

Thirty-one years ago, my paternal grandfather passed
away. We called him Paw Paw and my dad loved him very much.

Paw Paw loved to listen to his “45” of Tennessee Ernie Ford
on his console record player and walk through the house singing at the top of
his lungs. He had a lava lamp on top of the TV and an old fashioned
cuckoo clock on the wall. Even with thick coke-bottle glasses he still had to
use a magnifying glass to read his Bible, which he did the first thing every
morning and the last thing every night. He loved Jesus with all of his heart.
In church he would “amen” after almost every sentence.

Paw Paw died suddenly from a massive heart attack while at
work. He was 80 years old. I remember my dad hugging me and saying, “I hope I
can make it without him. I talked to him so often. I already miss him
…” read more

One morning my husband, Art, and I were on our way to work.
He was driving me to the school where I taught, and I was holding a gift from
him in my lap—a pot of my favorite flowers, mums that look like daisies. read more
3:13PM EDT 6/3/2011

I sat in the small coffee shop
reading the morning paper. My attention was immediately drawn to a headline
that caught my eye. A well-known former public figure with clout had just come
out with his book—one proclaiming the news that there was no sovereign God. The
review presented it, without even questioning such a belief, as if it were
indeed the truth and that this man of great reputation had all the answers on
whether or not there was a sovereign God. read more
1:00AM EDT 5/27/2011